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Private 5259 William NICHOLSON

Date of Death:

24 August 1914 (Killed in Action)

Grave No:

I. A. 13.

Unit:

n/k

Age:

30

Awards:

Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

Personal History:

William was born in the June quarter 1883 at 3 American Buildings, Broad Street, Teddington, Middlesex, the youngest son of 10 children of the late Charles (Gardener) and Jane Nicholson.

His elder siblings were Henry W., Charles T., Margaret E., Herbert E., Annie E., Eliza, Alice, and twins, John and Bertha (1891 Census RG 12/618). His father appears to have died in 1890 when William was only 6 years old.

Military History:

Currently his Army records are unavailable, and do not appear to have survived the Second World War bombing; all that is known is that William enlisted at Chester.

His Medal Index Card shows that at the outbreak of War and entered France 16 August 1914 and in view of his age he was probably recalled from the Reserve List. He was killed in action on 24 August during the Battalion's stand at Audregnies.